第19章

`Steadyitagain，andwritewhatIshalldictate。Quick，friend，quick!"

Pressinghishandtohisbewilderedhead，Darnaysatdownatthetable。Carton，withhisrighthandinhisbreast，stoodclosebesidehim。

`WriteexactlyasIspeak。"

`TowhomdoIaddressit?"

`Tonoone。"Cartonstillhadhishandinhisbreast。

`DoIdateit?"

`No。"

Theprisonerlookedup，ateachquestion。Carton，standingoverhimwithhishandinhisbreast，lookeddown。

```Ifyouremember，"""saidCarton，dictating，```thewordsthatpassedbetweenus，longago，youwillreadilycomprehendthiswhenyouseeit。Youdorememberthem，Iknow。Itisnotinyournaturetoforgetthem。"""

Hewasdrawinghishandfromhisbreast；theprisonerchancingtolookupinhishurriedwonderashewrote，thehandstopped，closinguponsomething。

`Haveyouwritten``forgetthem!""Cartonasked。

`Ihave。Isthataweaponinyourhand?"

`No；Iamnotarmed。"

`Whatisitinyourhand?"

`Youshallknowdirectly。Writeon；therearebutafewwordsmore。"Hedictatedagain。```Iamthankfulthatthetimehascome，whenIcanprovethem。ThatIdosoisnosubjectforregretorgrief。"""Ashesaidthesewordswithhiseyesfixedonthewriter，hishandslowlyandsoftlymoveddownclosetothewriter"sface。

ThependroppedfromDarnay"sfingersonthetable，andhelookedabouthimvacantly。

`Whatvapouristhat?"heasked。

`Vapour?"

`Somethingthatcrossedme?"

`Iamconsciousofnothing；therecanbenothinghere。Takeupthepenandfinish。Hurry，hurry!"

Asifhismemorywereimpaired，orhisfacultiesdisordered，theprisonermadeanefforttorallyhisattention。AshelookedatCartonwithcloudedeyesandwithanalteredmannerofbreathing，Carton——hishandagaininhisbreast——lookedsteadilyathim。

`Hurry，hurry!`

Theprisonerbentoverthepaper，oncemore。

```Ifithadbeenotherwise；"""Carton"shandwasagainwatchfullyandsoftlystealingdown；```Inevershouldhaveusedthelongeropportunity。

Ifithadbeenotherwise；"""thehandwasattheprisoner"sface；```I

shouldbuthavehadsomuchthemoretoanswerfor。Ifithadbeenotherwise——"""

Cartonlookedatthepenandsawitwastrailingoffintounintelligiblesigns。

Carton"shandmovedbacktohisbreastnomore。Theprisonersprangupwithareproachfullook，butCarton"shandwascloseandfirmathisnostrils，andCarton"sleftarmcaughthimroundthewaist。Forafewsecondshefaintlystruggledwiththemanwhohadcometolaydownhislifeforhim；but，withinaminuteorso，hewasstretchedinsensibleontheground。

Quickly，butwithhandsastruetothepurposeashisheartwas，Cartondressedhimselfintheclothestheprisonerhadlaidaside，combedbackhishair，andtieditwiththeribbontheprisonerhadworn。Then，hesoftlycalled，`Enterthere!Comein!"andtheSpypresentedhimself。

`Yousee?"saidCarton，lookingup，ashekneeledononekneebesidetheinsensiblefigure，puttingthepaperinthebreast:`isyourhazardverygreat?"

`Mr。Carton，"theSpyanswered，withatimidsnapofhisfingers，`myhazardisnotthat，inthethickofbusinesshere，ifyouaretruetothewholeofyourbargain。"

`Don"tfearme。Iwillbetruetothedeath。"

`Youmustbe，Mr。Carton，ifthetaleoffifty-twoistoberight。

Beingmaderightbyyouinthatdress，Ishallhavenofear。

`Havenofear!Ishallsoonbeoutofthewayofharmingyou，andtherestwillsoonbefarfromhere，pleaseGod!Now，getassistanceandtakemetothecoach。"

`You?"saidtheSpynervously。

`Him，man，withwhomIhaveexchanged。Yougooutatthegatebywhichyoubroughtmein?

`Ofcourse。"

`Iwasweakandfaintwhenyoubroughtmein，andIamfainternowyoutakemeout。Thepartinginterviewhasoverpoweredme。Suchathinghashappenedhere，often，andtoooften。Yourlifeisinyourownhands。

Quick!Callassistance!"

`Youswearnottobetrayme?"saidthetremblingSpy，ashepausedforalastmoment。

`Man，man!"returnedCarton，stampinghisfoot；`haveIswornbynosolemnvowalready，togothroughwiththis，thatyouwastethepreciousmomentsnow?Takehimyourselftothecourt-yardyouknowof，placehimyourselfinthecarriage，showhimyourselftoMr。Lorry，tellhimyourselftogivehimnorestorativebutair，andtoremembermywordsoflastnight，andhispromiseoflastnight，anddriveaway!"

TheSpywithdrew，andCartonseatedhimselfatthetable，restinghisforeheadonhishands。TheSpyreturnedimmediately，withtwomen。

`How，then?"saidoneofthem，contemplatingthefallenfigure。

`SoafflictedtofindthathisfriendhasdrawnaprizeinthelotteryofSainteGuillotine?"

`Agoodpatriot，"saidtheother，`couldhardlyhavebeenmoreafflictediftheAristocrathaddrawnablank。"

Theyraisedtheunconsciousfigure，placeditonalittertheyhadbroughttothedoor，andbenttocarryitaway。`Thetimeisshort，Evré；monde，"saidtheSpy，inawarningVoice。

`Iknowitwell，"answeredCarton。`Becarefulofmyfriend，I

entreatyou，andleaveme。

`Come，then，mychildren，"saidBarsad。`Lifthim，andcomeaway!"

Thedoorclosed，andCartonwasleftalone。Straininghispowersoflisteningtotheutmost，helistenedforanysoundthatmightdenotesuspicionoralarm。Therewasnone。Keysturned，doorsclashed，footstepspassedalongdistantpassages:nocrywasraised，orhurrymade，thatseemedunusual。Breathingmorefreelyinalittlewhile，hesatdownatthetable，andlistenedagainuntiltheclockstruckTwo。Soundsthathewasnotafraidof，forhedivinedtheirmeaning，thenbegantobeaudible。Severaldoorswereopenedinsuccession，andfinallyhisown。Agaoler，withalistinhishand，lookedin，merelysaying，`Followme，Evré；monde!"andhefollowedintoalargedarkroom，atadistance。Itwasadarkwinterday，andwhatwiththeshadowswithin，andwhatwiththeshadowswithout，hecouldbutdimlydiscerntheotherswhowerebroughttheretohavetheirarmsbound。Somewerestanding；someseated。Somewerelamenting，andinrestlessmotion；but，thesewerefew。Thegreatmajorityweresilentandstill，lookingfixedlyattheground。

Ashestoodbythewallinadimcorner，whilesomeofthefifty-twowerebroughtinafterhim，onemanstoppedinpassing，toembracehim，ashavingaknowledgeofhim。Itthrilledhimwithagreatdreadofdiscovery；

butthemanwenton。Averyfewmomentsafterthat，ayoungwoman，withaslightgirlishform，asweetsparefaceinwhichtherewasnovestigeofcolour，andlargewidelyopenedpatienteyes，rosefromtheseatwherehehadobservedhersitting，andcametospeaktohim。

`CitizenEvré；monde，"shesaid，touchinghimwithhercoldhand。`Iamapoorlittleseamstress，whowaswithyouinLaForce。

Hemurmuredforanswer:`True。Iforgetwhatyouwereaccusedof?"

`Plots。ThoughthejustHeavenknowsIaminnocentofany。Isitlikely?Whowouldthinkofplottingwithapoorlittleweakcreaturelikeme?"

Theforlornsmilewithwhichshesaidit，sotouchedhim，thattearsstartedfromhiseyes。

`Iamnotafraidtodie，CitizenEvré；monde，butIhavedonenothing。Iamnotunwillingtodie，iftheRepublicwhichistodosomuchgoodtouspoor，willprofitbymydeath；butIdonotknowhowthatcanbe，CitizenEvreé；monde。Suchapoorweaklittlecreature!"

Asthelastthingonearththathisheartwastowarmandsoftento，itwarmedandsoftenedtothispitiablegirl。

`Iheardyouwerereleased，Citizen`Evré；monde。Ihopeditwastrue?"

`Itwas。But，Iwasagaintakenandcondemned。"

`IfImayridewithyou，CitizenEvré；monde，willyouletmeholdyourhand?Iamnotafraid，hutIamlittleandweak，anditwillgivememorecourage。"

Asthepatienteyeswereliftedtohisface，hesawasuddendoubtinthem，andthenastonishment。Hepressedthework-worn，hunger-wornyoungfingers，andtouchedhislips。

`Areyoudyingforhim?"shewhispered。

`Andhiswifeandchild。Hush!Yes。"

`Oyouwillletmeholdyourbravehand，stranger?"

`Hush!Yes，mypoorsister；tothelast。

Thesameshadowsthatarefallingontheprison，arefalling，inthatsamehouroftheearlyafternoon，ontheBarrierwiththecrowdaboutit，whenacoachgoingoutofParisdrivesuptobeexamined。

`Whogoeshere?Whomhavewewithin?Papers!"

Thepapersarehandedout，andread。

`AlexandreManette。Physician。French。Whichishe?"

Thisishe；thishelpless，inarticulatelymurmuring，wanderingoldmanpointedout。

`ApparentlytheCitizen-Doctorisnotinhisrightmind?TheRevolution-feverwillhavebeentoomuchforhim?"

Greatlytoomuchforhim。

`Hah!Manysufferwithit。Lucie。Hisdaughter。French。Whichisshe?"

Thisisshe。

`Apparentlyitmustbe。Lucie，thewifeofEvré；monde；isitnot"。"

Itis。

`Hah!Evré；mondehasanassignationelsewhere。Lucie，herchild。English。Thisisshe?"

Sheandnoother。

`Kissme，childofEvré；monde。Now，thouhastkissedagoodRepublican；somethingnewinthyfamily；rememberit!SydneyCarton。Advocate。

English。Whichishe?"

Helieshere，inthiscornerofthecarriage。He，too，ispointedout。

`ApparentlytheEnglishadvocateisinaswoon?"

Itishopedhewillrecoverinthefresherair。Itisrepresentedthatheisnotinstronghealth，andhasseparatedsadlyfromafriendwhoisunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic。

`Isthatall?Itisnotagreatdeal，that!ManyareunderthedispleasureoftheRepublic，andmustlookoutatthelittlewindow。JarvisLorry。Banker。English。Whichishe?"

`Iamhe。Necessarily，beingthelast。"

ItisJarvisLorrywhohasrepliedtoallthepreviousquestions。

ItisJarvisLorrywhohasalightedandstandswithhishandonthecoachdoor，replyingtoagroupofofficials。Theyleisurelywalkroundthecarriageandleisurelymountthebox，tolookatwhatlittleluggageitcarriesontheroof；thecountry-peoplehangingabout，pressnearertothecoachdoorsandgreedilystarein；alittlechild，carriedbyitsmother，hasitsshortarmheldoutforit，thatitmaytouchthewifeofanaristocratwhohasgonetotheGuillotine。

`Beholdyourpapers，JarvisLorry，countersigned。"

`Onecandepart，citizen?"

`Onecandepart。Forward，mypostilions!Agoodjourney!"

`Isaluteyou，citizens——Andthefirstdangerpassed!"

TheseareagainthewordsofJarvisLorry，asheclaspshishands，andlooksupward。Thereisterrorinthecarriage，thereisweeping，thereistheheavybreathingoftheinsensibletraveller。

`Arewenotgoingtooslowly?Cantheynotbeinducedtogofaster?"

asksLucie，clingingtotheoldman。

`Itwouldseemlikeflight，mydarling。Imustnoturgethemtoomuch；itwouldrousesuspicion。"

`Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!"

`Theroadisclear，mydearest。Sofar，wearenotpursued。"

Housesintwosandthreespassbyus，solitaryfarms，ruinousbuildings，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，opencountry，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Thehardunevenpavementisunderus，thesoftdeepmudisoneitherside。Sometimes，westrikeintotheskirtingmud，toavoidthestonesthatclatterusandshakeus；sometimeswestickinrutsandsloughsthere。Theagonyofourimpatienceisthensogreat，thatinourwildalarmandhurryweareforgettingoutandrunning——hiding——doinganythingbutstopping。

Outoftheopencountry，inagainamongruinousbuildings，solitaryfarms，dye-works，tanneries，andthelike，cottagesintwosandthrees，avenuesofleaflesstrees。Havethesemendeceivedus，andtakenusbackbyanotherroad?Isnotthisthesameplacetwiceover?ThankHeaven，no。

Avillage。Lookback，lookback，andseeifwearepursued!Hush!theposting-house。

Leisurely，ourfourhorsesaretakenout；leisurely，thecoachstandsinthelittlestreet，bereftofhorses，andwithnolikelihooduponitofevermovingagain；leisurely，thenewhorsescomeintovisibleexistence，onebyone；leisurely，thenewpostilionsfollow，suckingandplaitingthelashesoftheirwhips；leisurely，theoldpostilionscounttheirmoney，makewrongadditions，andarriveatdissatisfiedresults。Allthetime，ouroverfraughtheartsarebeatingataratethatwouldfaroutstripthefastestgallopofthefastesthorseseverfoaled。

Atlengththenewpostilionsareintheirsaddles，andtheoldareleftbehind。Wearethroughthevillage，upthehill，anddownthehill，andonthelowwaterygrounds。Suddenly)"，thepostilionsexchangespeechwithanimatedgesticulation，andthehorses-arepulledup，almostontheirhaunches。Wearepursued。

`Ho!Withinthecarriagethere。Speakthen!"

`Whatisit?"asksMr。Lorry，lookingoutatwindow。

`Howmanydidtheysay?

`Idonotunderstandyou。"

`Atthelastpost。HowmanytotheGuillotineto-day?"

`Fifty-two。"

`Isaidso!Abravenumber!Myfellow-citizenherewouldhaveitforty-two；tenmoreheadsareworthhaving。TheGuillotinegoeshandsomely。

Iloveit。Hiforward。Whoop!"

Thenightcomesondark。Hemovesmore；heisbeginningtorevive，andtospeakintelligibly；hethinkstheyarestilltogether；heaskshim，byhisname，whathehasinhishand。Dpityus，kindHeaven，andhelpus!Lookout，lookout，andseeifwearepursued。

Thewindisrushingafterus，andthecloudsareflyingafterus，andthemoonisplungingafterus，andthewholewildnightisinpursuitofus；but，sofarwearepursuedbynothingelse。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheThird[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheKnittingDoneINthatsamejunctureoftimewhentheFifty-Twoawaitedtheirfate，MadameDefargehelddarklyominouscouncilwithTheVengeanceandJacquesThreeoftheRevolutionaryJury。Notinthewine-shopdidMadameDefargeconferwiththeseministers，butintheshedofthewood-sawyer，erstamenderofroads。Thesawyerhimselfdidnotparticipateintheconference，butabidedatalittledistance，likeanoutersatellitewhowasnottospeakuntilrequired，ortoofferanopinionuntilinvited。

`ButourDefarge，"saidJacquesThree，`isundoubtedlyagoodRepublican?Eh?"

`Thereisnobetter，"thevolubleVengeanceprotestedinhershrillnotes，`inFrance。

`Peace，littleVengeance，"saidMadameDefarge，layingherhandwithaslightfrownonherlieutenant"slips，`hearmespeak。Myhusband，fellow-citizen，isagoodRepublicanandaboldman；hehasdeservedwelloftheRepublic，andpossessesitsconfidence。Butmyhusbandhashisweaknesses，andheissoweakastorelenttowardsthisDoctor。"

`Itisagreatpity，"croakedJacquesThree，dubiouslyshakinghishead，withhiscruelfingersathishungrymouth；`itisnotquitelikeagoodcitizen；itisathingtoregret。

`Seeyou，"saidmadame，`IcarenothingforthisDoctor，I。Hemaywearhisheadorloseit，foranyinterestIhaveinhim；itisallonetome。But，theEvré；mondepeoplearetobeexterminated，andthewifeandchildmustfollowthehusbandandfather。"

`Shehasafineheadforit，"croakedJacquesThree。`Ihaveseenblueeyesandgoldenhairthere，andtheylookedcharmingwhenSamsonheldthemup。"Ogrethathewas，hespokelikeanepicure。

MadameDefargecastdownhereyes，andreflectedalittle。`Thechildalso，"observedJacquesThree，withameditativeenjoymentofhiswords，`hasgoldenhairandblueeyes。Andweseldomhaveachildthere。

Itisaprettysight!"

`Inaword，"saidMadameDefarge，comingoutofhershortabstraction，`Icannottrustmyhusbandinthismatter。

NotonlydoIfeel，sincelastnight，thatIdarenotconfidetohimthedetailsofmyprojects；butalsoIfeelthatifIdelay，thereisdangerofhisgivingwarning，andthentheymightescape。

`Thatmustneverbe，"croakedJacquesThree；`noonemustescape。

Wehavenothalfenoughasitis。Weoughttohavesixscoreaday。"

`Inaword，"MadameDefargewenton，`myhusbandhasnotmyreasonforpursuingthisfamilytoannihilation，andIhavenothisreasonforregardingthisDoctorwithanysensibility。Imustactformyself，therefore。

Comehither，littlecitizen。

Thewood-sawyer，whoheldherintherespect，andhimselfinthesubmission，ofmortalfear，advancedwithhishandtohisredcap。

`Touchingthosesignals，littlecitizen，"saidMadameDefarge，sternly，`thatshemadetotheprisoners；youarereadytobearwitnesstothemthisveryday?"

`Ay，ay，whynot!"criedthesawyer。`Everyday，inallweathers，fromtwotofour，alwayssignalling，sometimeswiththelittleone，sometimeswithout。IknowwhatIknow。Ihaveseenwithmyeyes。"

Hemadeallmannerofgestureswhilehespoke，asifinincidentalimitationofsomefewofthegreatdiversityofsignalsthathehadneverseen。

`Clearlyplots，"saidJacquesThree。`Transparently!"

`ThereisnodoubtoftheJury?"inquiredMadameDefarge，lettinghereyesturntohimwithagloomysmile。

`RelyuponthepatrioticJury，dearcitizeness。Ianswerformyfellow-Jurymen。"

`Now，letmesee，"saidMadameDefarge，ponderingagain。`Yetoncemore!CanIsparethisDoctortomyhusband?Ihavenofeelingeitherway。CanIsparehim?"

`Hewouldcountasonehead，"observedJacquesThree，inalowvoice。`Wereallyhavenotheadsenough；itwouldbeapity，Ithink。"

`HewassignallingwithherwhenIsawher，"arguedMadameDefarge；

`Icannotspeakofonewithouttheother；andImustnotbesilent，andtrustthecasewhollytohim，thislittlecitizenhere。For，Iamnotabadwitness。

TheVengeanceandJacquesThreeviedwitheachotherintheirferventprotestationsthatshewasthemostadmirableandmarvellousofwitnesses。Thelittlecitizen，nottobeoutdone，declaredhertobeacelestialwitness。

Hemusttakehischance，"saidMadameDefarge。`No，Icannotsparehim!Youareengagedatthreeo"clock；youaregoingtoseethebatchofto-dayexecuted——You?"

Thequestionwasaddressedtothewood-sawyer，whohurriedlyrepliedintheaffirmative:seizingtheoccasiontoaddthathewasthemostardentofRepublicans，andthathewouldbeineffectthemostdesolateofRepublicans，ifanythingpreventedhimfromenjoyingthepleasureofsmokinghisafternoonpipeinthecontemplationofthedrollnationalbarber。Hewassoverydemonstrativeherein，thathemighthavebeensuspected(perhapswas，bythedarkeyesthatlookedContemptuouslyathimoutofMadameDefarge"shead)ofhavinghissmallindividualfearsforhisownpersonalsafety，everyhourintheday。

`I，"saidmadame，`amequallyengagedatthesameplace。Afteritisover-sayateightto-night——comeyoutome，inSaintAntoine，andwewillgiveinformationagainstthese"peopleatmysection。"

Thewood-sawyersaidhewouldbeproudandflatteredtoattendthecitizeness。Thecitizenesslookingathim，hebecameembarrassed，evadedherglanceasasmalldogwouldhavedone，retreatedamonghiswood，andhidhisconfusionoverthehandleofhissaw。

MadameDefargebeckonedtheJurymanandTheVengeancealittlenearertothedoor，andthereexpoundedherfurtherviewstothemthus:

`Shewillnowbeathome，awaitingthemomentofhisdeath。Shewillbemourningandgrieving。ShewillbeinastateofmindtoimpeachthejusticeoftheRepublic。Shewillbefullofsympathywithitsenemies。

Iwillgotoher。"

`Whatanadmirablewoman；whatanadorablewoman!"exclaimedJacquesThree，rapturously。`Ah，mycherished!"criedTheVengeance；andembracedher。

`Takeyoumyknitting，"saidMadameDefarge，placingitinherlieutenant"shands，`andhaveitreadyformeinmyusualseat。Keepmemyusualchair。Goyouthere，straight，fortherewillprobablybeagreaterconcoursethanusual，to-day。"

`IwillinglyobeytheordersofmyChief"saidTheVengeancewithalacrity，andkissinghercheek。`Youwillnotbelate?"

`Ishallbetherebeforethecommencement。"

`Andbeforethetumbrilsarrive。Besureyouarethere，mysoul，"

saidTheVengeance，callingafterher，forshehadalreadyturnedintothestreet，`beforethetumbrilsarrive!"

MadameDefargeslightlywavedherhand，toimplythatsheheard，andmightbereliedupontoarriveingoodtime，andsowentthroughtilemud，androundthecorneroftheprisonwall。TheVengeanceandtheJuryman，lookingalterherasshewalkedaway，werehighlyappreciativeofherfinefigure，andhersuperbmoralendowments。

Thereweremanywomenatthattime，uponwhomthetimelaidadreadfullydisfiguringhand；but，therewasnotoneamongthemmoretobedreadedthanthisruthlesswoman，nowtakingherwayalongthestreets。

Ofastrongandfearlesscharacter，ofshrewdsenseandreadiness，ofgreatdetermination，ofthatkindofbeautywhichnotonlyseemstoimparttoitspossessorfirmnessandanimosity，buttostrikeintoothersaninstinctiverecognitionofthosequalities；thetroubledtimewouldhaveheavedherup，underanycircumstances。But，imbuedfromherchildhoodwithabroodingsenseof，wrong，andaninveteratehatredofaclass，opportunityhaddevelopedherintoatigress。Shewasabsolutelywithoutpity。Ifshehadeverhadthevirtueinher，ithadquitegoneoutofher。

Itwasnothingtoher，thataninnocentmanwastodieforthesinsofhisforefathers；shesaw，nothim，butthem。Itwasnothingtoher，thathiswifewastobemadeawidowandhisdaughteranorphan；thatwasinsufficientpunishment，becausetheywerehernaturalenemiesandherprey，andassuchhadnorighttolive。Toappealtoher，wasmadehopelessbyherhavingnosenseofpity，evenforherself。Ifshehadbeenlaidlowinthestreets，inanyofthemanyencountersinwhichshehadbeenengaged，shewouldnothavepitiedherself；nor，ifshehadbeenorderedtotheaxeto-morrow，wouldshehavegonetoitwithanysofterfeelingthanafiercedesiretochangeplaceswiththemanwhosentherthere。

SuchaheartMadameDefargecarriedunderherroughrobe。Carelesslyworn，itwasabecomingrobeenough，inacertainweirdway，andherdarkhairlookedrichunderhercoarseredcap。Lyinghiddeninherbosom，wasaloadedpistol。Lyinghiddenatherwaist，wasasharpeneddagger。Thusaccoutred，andwalkingwiththeconfidenttreadofsuchacharacter，andwiththesupplefreedomofawomanwhohadhabituallywalkedinhergirlhood，bare-footandbare-legged，onthebrownsea-sand，MadameDefargetookherwayalongthestreets。

Now，whenthejourneyofthetravellingcoach，atthatverymomentwaitingforthecompletionofitsload，hadbeenplannedoutlastnight，thedifficultyoftakingMissProssinithadmuchengagedMr。Lorry"sattention。Itwasnotmerelydesirabletoavoidoverloadingthecoach，butitwasofthehighestimportancethatthetimeoccupiedinexaminingitanditspassengers，shouldbereducedtotheutmost；sincetheirescapemightdependonthesavingofonlyafewsecondshereandthere。Finally，hehadproposed，afteranxiousconsideration，thatMissProssandJerry，whowereatlibertytoleavethecity，shouldleaveitatthreeo"clockinthelightest-wheeledconveyanceknowntothatperiod。Unencumberedwithluggage，theywouldsoonovertakethecoach，and，passingitandprecedingitontheroad，wouldorderitshorsesinadvance，andgreatlyfacilitateitsprogressduringtheprecioushoursofthenight，whendelaywasthemosttobedreaded。

Seeinginthisarrangementthehopeofrenderingrealserviceinthatpressingemergency，MissProsshaileditwithjoy。SheandJerryhadbeheldthecoachstart，hadknownwhoitwasthatSolomonbrought，hadpassedsometenminutesintorturesofsuspense，andwerenowconcludingtheirarrangementstofollowthecoach，evenasMadameDefarge，takingherwaythroughthestreets，nowdrewnearerandnearertotheelse-desertedlodginginwhichtheyheldtheirconsultation。

`Nowwhatdoyouthink，Mr。Cruncher，"saidMissPross，whoseagitationwassogreatthatshecouldhardlyspeak，orstand，ormove，orlive:`whatdoyouthinkofournotstartingfromthiscourt-yard?Anothercarriagehavingalreadygonefromhereto-day，itmightawakensuspicion。

`Myopinion，miss，"returnedMr。Cruncher，`isas，you"reright。

LikewisewotI"llstandbyyou，rightorwrong。

`Iamsodistractedwithfearandhopeforourpreciouscreatures，"

saidMissPross，wildlycrying，`thatIamincapableofforminganyplan。

Areyoucapableofforminganyplan，mydeargoodMr。Cruncher?"

`Respectin"afuturespearo"life，miss，"returnedMr。Cruncher，`Ihopeso。Respectin"anypresentuseo"thishereblessedoldheado"

mine，Ithinknot。Wouldyoudomethefavour，miss，totakenoticeo"

twopromisesandwowswotitismywishesfurtorecordinthisherecrisis?"

`Oh，forgracioussake!"criedMissPross，stillwildlycrying，`recordthematonce，andgetthemoutoftheway，likeanexcellentman。

`First，"saidMr。Cruncher，whowasallinatremble，andwhospokewithanashyandsolemnvisage，`thempoorthingswellouto"this，nevernomorewillIdoit，nevernomore!"

`Iamquitesure，Mr。Cruncher，"returnedMissPross，`thatyouneverwilldoitagain，whateveritis，andIbegyounottothinkitnecessarytomentionmoreparticularlywhatitis。"

`No，miss，"returnedJerry，`itshallnotbenamedtoyou。Second:

thempoorthingswellouto"this，andnevernomorewillIinterferewithMrs。Cruncher"sflopping，nevernomore!"

`Whateverhousekeepingarrangementthatmaybe，"saidMissPross，strivingtodryhereyesandcomposeherself，`IhavenodoubtitisbestthatMrs。Crunchershouldhaveitentirelyunderherownsuperintendence——O

mypoordarlings!"

`Igosofarastosay，miss，morehover，"proceededMr。Cruncher，withamostalarmingtendencytoholdforthasfromapulpit——`andletmywordsbetookdownandtooktoMrs。Cruncherthroughyourself——thatwotmyopinionsrespectin"floppinghasundergoneachange，andthatwotIonlyhopewithallmyheartasMrs。Crunchermaybeafloppingatthepresenttime。"

There，there，there!Ihopesheis，mydearman，"criedthedistractedMissPross，`andIhopeshefindsitansweringherexpectations。"

`Forbidit，"proceededMr。Cruncher，withadditionalsolemnity，additionalslowness，andadditionaltendencytoholdforthandholdout，`asanythingwotIhaveeversaidordoneshouldbewisitedonmyearnestwishesforthempoorcreetursnow!Forbiditasweshouldn"tallflop(ifitwasanywaysconwenient)toget`emouto"thisheredismalrisk!Forbidit，miss!WotIsay，for——BIDit!"ThiswasMr。Cruncher"sconclusionafteraprotractedbutvainendeavourtofindabetterone。

AndstillMadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

`Ifweevergetbacktoournativeland，"saidMissPross，`youmayrelyuponmytellingMrs。CruncherasmuchasImaybeabletorememberandunderstandofwhatyouhavesoimpressivelysaid；andatalleventsyoumaybesurethatIshallbearwitnesstoyourbeingthoroughlyinearnestatthisdreadfultime。Now，prayletusthink!MyesteemedMr。Cruncher，letusthink!"

Still，MadameDefarge，pursuingherwayalongthestreets，camenearerandnearer。

`Ifyouweretogobefore，"saidMissPross，`andstopthevehicleandhorsesfromcominghere，andweretowaitsomewhereforme；wouldn"tthatbebest?"

Mr。Cruncherthoughtitmightbebest。

`Wherecouldyouwaitforme?"askedMissPross。

Mr。CruncherwassobewilderedthathecouldthinkofnolocalitybutTempleBar。Alas!TempleBarwashundredsofmilesaway，andMadameDefargewasdrawingverynearindeed。

`Bythecathedraldoor，"saidMissPross。`Woulditbemuchoutoftheway，totakemein，nearthegreatcathedraldoorbetweenthetwotowers?"

`No，miss，"answeredMr。Cruncher。

`Then，likethebestofmen，"saidMissPross，`gototheposting-housestraight，andmakethatchange。"

`Iamdoubtful，"saidMr。Cruncher，hesitatingandshakinghishead，`aboutleavingofyou，yousee。Wedon"tknowwhatmayhappen。"

`Heavenknowswedon"t，"returnedMissPross，`buthavenofearforme。Takemeinatthecathedral，atThreeo"clock，orasnearitasyoucan，andIamsureitwillbebetterthanourgoingfromhere。Ifeelcertainofit。There!Blessyou，Mr。Cruncher!Think——notofme，butofthelivesthatmaydependonbothofus!"

Thisexordium，andMissPross"stwohandsinquiteagonisedentreatyclaspinghis，decidedMr。Cruncher。Withanencouragingnodortwo，heimmediatelywentouttoalterthearrangements，andleftherbyherselftofollowasshehadproposed。

Thehavingoriginatedaprecautionwhichwasalreadyincourseofexecution，wasagreatrelieftoMissPross。ThenecessityofComposingherappearancesothatitshouldattractnospecialnoticeinthestreets，wasanotherreliefShelookedatherwatch，anditwastwentyminutespasttwo。Shehadnotimetolose，butmustgetreadyatonce。

Afraid，inherextremeperturbation，ofthelonelinessofthedesertedrooms，andofhalf-imaginedfacespeepingfrombehindeveryopendoorinthem，MissProssgotabasinofcoldwaterandbeganlavinghereyes，whichwereswollenandred。Hauntedbyherfeverishapprehensions，shecouldnotbeartohavehersightobscuredforaminuteatatimebythedrippingwater，butconstantlypausedandlookedroundtoseethattherewasnoonewatchingher。Inoneofthosepausessherecoiledandcriedout，forshesawafigurestandingintheroom。

Thebasinfelltothegroundbroken，andthewaterflowedtothefeetofMadameDefarge。Bystrangesternways，andthroughmuchstainingblood，thosefeethadcometomeetthatwater。

MadameDefargelookedcoldlyather，andsaid，`ThewifeofEvré；monde；

whereisshe?"

ItflasheduponMissPross"smindthatthedoorswereallstandingopen，andwouldsuggesttheflight。Herfirstactwastoshutthem。Therewerefourintheroom，andsheshutthemall。ShethenplacedherselfbeforethedoorofthechamberwhichLuciehadoccupied。

MadameDefarge"sdarkeyesfollowedherthroughthisrapidmovement，andrestedonherwhenitwasfinished。MissProsshadnothingbeautifulabouther；yearshadnottamedthewildness，orsoftenedthegrimness，ofherappearance；but，shetoowasadeterminedwomaninherdifferentway，andshemeasuredMadameDefargewithhereyes，everyinch。

`Youmight，fromyourappearance，bethewifeofLucifer，"saidMissPross，inherbreathing。`Nevertheless，youshallnotgetthebetterofme。IamanEnglishwoman。